The house trio kicked off with a number they thought was Bud Powell's Buster Rides Again and it probably was. Alan Law, wearing some cool threads looked sharp as a tack on piano. On bass, Paul Grainger was at the other end of the sartorial scale whilst Michael Mather, looking as if he'd just returned from Hawaii or some other Geordie outpost, was somewhere in the middle.
Who Can I Turn to? and My Silent Love followed. They'd set the musical bar high for the jammers waiting in the wings.
First to answer the call was Paul Gowland. Paul elected to play his Conn underslung alto this week and impressed on Chucho and Autumn in New York. More saxist activity when Steve Summers and John Rowland locked horns on Days of Wine and Roses which was like night and day compared to their next number which just happened to be Night and Day.
Time for a switcheroo in the form of Kris Finney on drums, Luis Verde on alto and the first of the singers Kate O'Neill who opted for That Ole Devil Called Love and God Bless the Child. Some dazzling alto from Luis.
Senor Verde stayed on stage for Beatrice, a rendition that could have been subtitled Beat That.
More changes. David Gray joined Jan for Wave with one Freddie on drums. Fine and Mellow saw Edgar (sensibly muted) and Haaruun the third alto to show.
Roger Jones, a visitor from the valleys or maybe elsewhere sang All of Me aided and abetted by Gowland and Gray. I'm in the Mood For Love was rather approximate although John Pope and Val, a seriously fine drummer man, gave it a lift. I must confess I'm guessing at Roger's surname but he is from Wales...
Minnie took over the mic and an excellent guitarist allowed Alan Law to escape for a cigarette fix. Darn That Dream worked well although Love me or Leave me was a bit too fast for my liking. Nevertheless, it allowed 'Showtime' to quote in its entirety Lullaby of Birdland - presumably one of Love me or Leave me's contrafacts.
Another drummer - a man called Adam - took over for Senor Blues, the first vocal of the evening from David.
However, the clock was ticking and, mindful that some 10,000 enraptured souls would soon be leaving the Bublé concert and heading for the Metro I left before the final numbers, which I'm told, included Esther leading the line on Mr PC and a whole host blowing On Green Dolphin Street.
Unfortunately (or fortunately) I'd waited a little too long and although I got onto the train I found myself jammed (hence the title) amid a carriage full of Bubléttes. There was a heady aroma of perfume, alcohol and wet knickers in the air which wasn't entirely unpleasant.
I was only onboard for one stop but it was an experience! As I got off one of the more attractive ones said "text me the morra". I just made that last bit up but, if I'd been 40 years younger or she'd been 40 years older she may have done! Lance
1 comment :
Enjoyed it so much last night. So many Jazz Caff regulars it felt like being transported back the best part of 15 years. Including your good self Lance. These are all great, thanks to Paul but that really felt like a golden one. Thanks to all concerned!
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